A LETTER FROM OUR CEO: “Graduation, Growth, and New Beginnings”
May was a season of growth, opportunity, and meaningful reminders of why this work matters.
We proudly celebrated milestones across both our education and youth programs last month. The 11th cohort of our Lab Assistant Rapid Reskilling Program graduated and are now stepping into new career opportunities with confidence and purpose. We also proudly celebrated our Operation Girls Class of 2026, who collectively earned $128,000 in scholarships and were accepted into 16 colleges and universities. These accomplishments reflect resilience, hard work, and the power of investment in women and girls.
May also served as a reminder of why civic engagement and equitable representation across Louisiana is so important. As conversations surrounding voting rights and congressional district maps occur across our state, we will encourage our communities to stay informed, engaged, and active in the democratic process.
Lastly, we witnessed justice in action through Operation Restoration’s Safety and Freedom Fund. In partnership with Innocence and Justice Louisiana, we helped free Keith Ezidore after more than 34 years of wrongful incarceration. This was a powerful reminder that our work must remain rooted in humanity, dignity, and compassion.
As we move into summer, we will continue to approach this work with urgency and intention. We look forward to celebrating our community at OR’s 4th Annual Juneteenth Community Festival. We will honor freedom, strengthen connections, and create pathways to remove barriers for the women and girls we serve.
In Gratitude,
Syrita Steib
Founder, President & CEO
Operation Restoration